South Africa and Pakistan began their T20I series at Kingsmead in Durban on December 10, 2024. After winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first but faced an early collapse, losing three wickets for a meager 28 runs. Pakistan’s strong returning players, including Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, position them as favorites for the match, given their recent dominance over South Africa in T20I encounters.

On December 10, 2024, South Africa and Pakistan commenced their highly anticipated T20I series at Kingsmead, Durban. Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Afridi returned to the team after resting during the Zimbabwe series. Heinrich Klaasen led the South African side, which opted to bat first after winning the toss. Early in their innings, South Africa faced significant setbacks, losing 3 wickets for just 28 runs within 4 overs, including crucial dismissals of Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, and Matthew Breetzke. Despite the initial collapse, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen aimed to stabilize the innings during the tense matchup.

This T20I match marks the beginning of a multi-format series between South Africa and Pakistan, a showdown that carries weight as both teams seek to establish their form. South Africa recently suffered a more challenging T20I series loss to India, prompting a focus on recovery and performance improvement. Concurrently, Pakistan are bolstered by the return of key players to their lineup, positioning them as favorites due to their dominant record against the hosts in recent confrontations.

The ongoing T20I between South Africa and Pakistan showcases significant tension, particularly as South Africa grapples with a rocky start after losing early wickets. With experienced players like Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller at the crease, the opportunity for counterplay remains. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s strong team composition enhances their potential for victory in this crucial first match of the series.

Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com